The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

eight hundred miles in length, and as many in breadth.
And upon it, O descendant of Bharata, were full-blown
lotuses of heavenly appearance, of five colours, hummed
round by bees, and counting by thousands. And
in the middle of that lake, there was a large and
beautiful assemblage of lotuses having in its midst
a large white lotus standing on a lofty stalk.
And penetrating into the lotus-stalk, along with Sachi,
she saw Indra there who had entered into its fibres.
And seeing her lord lying there in a minute form, Sachi
also assumed a minute form, so did the goddess of
divination too. And Indra’s queen began
to glorify him by reciting his celebrated deeds of
yore. And thus glorified, the divine Purandara
spoke to Sachi, ’For what purpose hast thou
come? How also have I been found out?’ Then
the goddess spoke of the acts of Nahusha. And
she said, ’O performer of a hundred sacrifices,
having obtained the sovereignty of the three worlds,
powerful and haughty and of a vicious soul, he hath
commanded me to visit him, and the cruel wretch hath
even assigned me a definite time. If thou wilt
not protect me, O lord, he will bring me under his
power. For this reason, O Indra, have I come
to thee in alarm. O thou of powerful arms, slay
the terrible Nahusha of vicious soul. Discover
thyself, O slayer of Daityas and Danavas. O lord,
assume thy own strength and rule the celestial kingdom.’”

SECTION XV

“Salya said, ’Thus addressed by Sachi,
the illustrious god said to her again, ’This
is not the time for putting forth valour. Nahusha
is stronger than I am. O beautiful lady, he hath
been strengthened by the Rishis with the merits of
offerings to the gods and the Pitris. I shall
have recourse to policy now. Thou wilt have to
carry it out, O goddess. O lady, thou must do
it secretly and must not disclose it to any person.
O lady of a beautiful waist, going to Nahusha in private,
tell him, O lord of the Universe, thou must visit
me mounted on a nice vehicle borne by Rishis.
In that case I shall be pleased and shall place myself
at thy disposal. This shouldst thou tell him.’
And thus addressed by the king of the gods, his lotus-eyed
consort expressed her consent and went to Nahusha.
And Nahusha, having seen her, smilingly addressed her,
saying, ’I welcome thee, O lady of lovely thighs.
What is thy pleasure, O thou of sweet smiles.
Accept me, O lady of propitious looks, who am devoted
to thee. What is thy will, O spirited dame.
I shall do thy wish, O lady of propitious looks and
slender waist. Nor needst thou be bashful, O thou
of lovely hips. Have trust in me. In the
name of truth I swear, O goddess, that I shall do
thy bidding.’